Malawi Election Watch: Mutharika Leads in Preliminary Results Amid Rising Tensions
Ujasusi Blog’s Southern Africa Monitoring Team| 21 September 2025| 0300 BST
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🔍 Overview
Former president Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has taken an early lead over incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in the ongoing tally of the 2025 presidential elections.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has officially announced results from nine councils, with Mutharika securing 203,380 votes, while Chakwera trails with 153,507 votes. The figures were updated on Friday and Saturday nights during official briefings.
🧮 Key Results by Council
MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja delivered results from five key councils on Saturday:
📊 Mutharika dominated in Zomba, Salima, and Neno, while Chakwera made significant gains in Ntchisi.
🚨 Electoral Discrepancies and Arrests
The Commission flagged discrepancies in the figures for Ntcheu District, which delayed the finalisation of the results. Justice Mtalimanja noted that:
228 out of 229 constituencies had uploaded results via the Results Management System.
Nkhoma Constituency in Lilongwe remains unresolved following the replacement of its Constituency Returning Officer.
In a serious development, eight MEC data entry clerks were arrested at Nkhoma following the attempted suicide of the Constituency Returning Officer.
🚔 Malawi Police Service (MPS) Inspector General Merlyn Yolamu confirmed the arrests but declined to name the suspects or detail charges. The incident has triggered public suspicion of vote manipulation.
🗳️ Complaint from the United Democratic Front (UDF)
The UDF submitted a formal complaint demanding a recount in selected strongholds, citing anomalies. The MEC has acknowledged the petition and promised to follow due legal and procedural steps.
🧾 MEC’s Position and Public Appeal
Justice Mtalimanja reaffirmed MEC’s commitment to:
Full verification, reconciliation, and transparency of the results.
Addressing every complaint with due diligence.
Publishing credible outcomes to strengthen national unity.
"The Commission is committed to delivering results that are not only lawful but also trusted by the people, thereby strengthening our democracy," she stated.
She urged all Malawians to remain calm and patient as the process proceeds.
🔭 Strategic Outlook
Short-Term (Now–2 Weeks)
Final results from Lilongwe District and Mangochi District are expected. These are high-population zones that can significantly impact the outcome.
Public trust in MEC may decline further following the arrests at Nkhoma Constituency, especially if the Commission fails to provide transparent updates.
Expect heightened political messaging, mobilisation, and possible protests, especially if either side claims premature victory.
Medium-Term (2 Weeks–3 Months)
Legal challenges are likely, particularly from the UDF and MCP, with petitions for recounts or invalidation of results in key districts.
Election observer missions (AU, SADC, EU) are expected to release detailed assessments, which may influence public and diplomatic perception of legitimacy.
Potential parliamentary instability could emerge if the presidential outcome affects party alignments and regional political dynamics.
Long-Term (3+ Months)
Depending on the outcome and handling of the crisis, institutional reforms of MEC may be demanded by the opposition and civil society.
The 2025 elections may become a flashpoint for broader discussions on electoral law, digital voting systems, and the role of foreign observers.
Malawi's political landscape may witness a realignment of opposition parties, with possible mergers or alliances ahead of the next general elections.
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